Whenever I try to download the escargot messenger, a chart pops up saying that I have a more recent version of messenger installed and that’s why it won’t download, but I don’t have any more recent version.

Go to C:\Program Files (x86) or C:\Program Files if the first doesn’t exist. Search for the folder named “MSN Messenger” or “Windows Live” -> “Messenger” if the first doesn’t exist, and delete the folder and try again the installation